Pithy gems from William Carey

(1761 – 1834)

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I'm not afraid of failure—I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.

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Expect great things from God—attempt great things for God.
Expect great things from God—receive great things from God.
Expect little from God—receive little from God.

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Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—yet lies at the root of all personal godliness.

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What is there on earth worth living for—than the glory of God and the salvation of souls?

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It is the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel—to endeavor to make it known among all nations.

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I was once young and now I am old—but not once have I been witness to God's failure to supply my need when first I had given for the furtherance of His work. He has never failed in His promise—so I cannot fail in my service to Him.

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Surely it is worthwhile to lay ourselves out with all our might in promoting the cause and kingdom of Christ.

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A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is not his own. He is the servant of God, and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to Him.

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I will venture to go to the heathen—but remember that you must hold the ropes.

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Is not the great commission of our Lord still binding upon us? Can we not do more than now we are doing?

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There are grave difficulties on every hand, and more are looming ahead. Therefore, we must go forward.

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My best Friend is all sufficient.

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I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.

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Without justification, salvation is not of grace—but of works.

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We have only to keep the end in view, and have our hearts thoroughly engaged in the pursuit of it—and means will not be very difficult.

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We must not be contented with praying—without exerting ourselves in the use of means for the obtaining of those things we pray for.

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The less said about me—the better. If the biographer gives me credit for being a plodder, he will describe me justly. Anything beyond this will be too much. I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.

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The most glorious works of grace that have ever took place, have been in answer to prayer.